Top Cook Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Cook interview by going through these most asked Cook interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Cook Questions
Interview Practice

Search Cook Questions:


  • Question: What do you want to tell me about yourself?

    • Question Overview: This is a question that is used to gauge the applicant's interest in the position and to help you get a feel for their personality. It is also a good opportunity to see if they have any questions for you.

    Sample Answer: I am very interested in this position. I love the food industry and am looking forward to working with you. I have a few questions for you.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A desire to work for your company
    • - A willingness to learn
    • - A sense of humor

  • Question: What is your strength?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to help you get a sense of the applicant's personality. You want to find out if they are a team player, if they are honest, and if they are a hard worker.

    Sample Answer: I am a hard worker. I am also honest and I like to help others.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A positive attitude
    • - A willingness to work hard
    • - Honesty about their strengths and weaknesses

  • Question: What do you want to work on?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to see if the applicant has any areas of improvement. It is important to know what they want to work on, as it will help you determine if they are a good fit for your business.

    Sample Answer: I would like to learn more about the business side of the industry. I would also like to improve my cooking skills and my customer service skills.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - An interest in learning more about the business
    • - An interest in improving their cooking skills
    • - An interest in improving their interpersonal skills

  • Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to help you determine if the applicant is honest and willing to admit their shortcomings. It also helps you determine if they are aware of their own strengths and weaknesses.

    Sample Answer: My strengths are my ability to work with others and my attention to detail. My weakness is that I am not the best at multi-tasking.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Honesty
    • - Willingness to work on weaknesses
    • - Acknowledgment of strengths

  • Question: What size of shirt do you wear?

    • Question Overview: This question is a simple way to gauge the size of the candidate. If they are too small for the job, you will have to find a way to accommodate them. If they are too large, you may have to purchase new uniforms.

    Sample Answer: I wear a medium shirt. I am willing to wear the uniform.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - The size of their shirt
    • - Their willingness to wear the uniform

  • Question: What did you do at your last job?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to help you determine if the applicant has the experience you are looking for. They should be able to provide a detailed answer that includes the tasks they performed and the skills they used.

    Sample Answer: I was a line cook at a local restaurant. I worked with a team of four other cooks to prepare and serve meals. I was responsible for cooking the meat and fish dishes.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A detailed description of their duties
    • - The ability to work in a team environment
    • - The ability to work independently

  • Question: What kind of cooking do you like?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to get a sense of the applicant's interests and their personal style. It is also a way to determine if they are a good fit for your restaurant.

    Sample Answer: I love cooking all types of food. I love the challenge of making a new dish and making it taste great.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A passion for cooking
    • - A willingness to learn new styles
    • - A desire to please the customer

  • Question: Why do you want to work for us?

    • Question Overview: This question is a way to determine if the applicant is familiar with the company and its products. It also helps you determine if they are genuinely interested in the position or if they are just looking for a job.

    Sample Answer: I've always wanted to work for your company. I love your products and I know you have a great reputation in this industry.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of the company
    • - A desire to work for the company
    • - A desire to work in the industry

  • Question: What interests you in working with us?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to get a feel for the applicant's interest in working for your business. You want to know if they are just looking for any job or if they are genuinely interested in working for you.

    Sample Answer: I am interested in working with you because of the reputation of your business. I have heard great things about it from people I know.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A genuine interest in working for your business
    • - A desire to work with your team
    • - A willingness to work hard

  • Question: When are you available?

    • Question Overview: This question is important because you want to make sure that the candidate is available for the hours you need them. If they are not available, you will need to find someone else.

    Sample Answer: I am available Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Availability for the hours you need
    • - A willingness to work overtime if necessary

  • Question: Why do you want to leave your current company?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to get a sense of the applicant's honesty and loyalty. You want to make sure they are not leaving their current job for your position. If they are, you may want to reconsider hiring them.

    Sample Answer: I am looking for a new challenge. I believe that this position will help me grow and learn new skills.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Honesty about their reasons for leaving
    • - A desire to learn and grow in their career

  • Question: What do you like about working in the food industry?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to get a feel for the applicant's motivation for working in the culinary arts field. You want to hire someone who is passionate about this type of work.

    Sample Answer: I love the creativity that goes into making food. I also enjoy working with people and making them happy.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A love of cooking
    • - The desire to create great food
    • - The ability to work with others

  • Question: What is the lowest temperature that chicken can be stored at?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to see if the candidate has a basic understanding of food safety. The answer should be 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

    Sample Answer: 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of food safety
    • - Willingness to learn more about food safety

  • Question: How would you rate your knife skills?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to test the applicant's knife skills. It is important that your cooks are able to handle a knife safely and effectively.

    Sample Answer: I have been using a knife since I was a child. I have always been careful and have never cut myself.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A demonstration of their knife skills
    • - An understanding of the importance of safety
    • - The ability to handle a knife with confidence

  • Question: How long do you plan to work at KFC?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to determine if the applicant is looking for a long-term career or just a job. If they are looking for a career, you will want to hire them. Someone who is only looking for a job will likely leave after a few months.

    Sample Answer: I plan to work at KFC for as long as I can. I love the food and the people.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A desire to work at KFC for the long term
    • - A willingness to work hard and learn

  • Question: How do you prioritize your tasks?

    • Question Overview: This question will help you determine how the applicant prioritizes tasks and how they will handle multiple tasks at once.

    Sample Answer: I prioritize my tasks based on urgency and importance. If I have a lot of orders, I will start with the most important ones first.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A sense of urgency
    • - The ability to prioritize tasks
    • - The ability to work with others

  • Question: How would you make a gravy?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to test the cook's ability to follow directions and to see if they are able to perform basic tasks. The cook should be able to follow the recipe for gravy and produce a good result.

    Sample Answer: I would first make sure I had all the ingredients. Then, I would follow the recipe for gravy.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to follow directions
    • - The ability to perform basic tasks

  • Question: What was your favorite book?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to get the interviewee talking about something they are passionate about. It also gives you insight into their personality.

    Sample Answer: I love to read. My favorite book is "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - An answer that shows a passion for reading
    • - An answer that shows a passion for cooking
    • - An answer that shows a passion for writing

  • Question: Why should we hire you instead of the last candidate?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the applicant will sell themselves. You want to see how they will handle a difficult question, and you want to see if they can be honest about their strengths and weaknesses.

    Sample Answer: I am a hard worker who is willing to learn and do whatever it takes to succeed. I am also honest and dependable.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Honesty about their strengths and weaknesses
    • - A willingness to learn
    • - A desire to work for your business

  • Question: What are your past experiences in the kitchen?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to give you a feel for the applicant's experience level. You want to make sure they have the basic skills needed to do the job.

    Sample Answer: I have worked in the kitchen for three years. I have learned a lot and am always willing to learn more.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A willingness to learn
    • - Ability to work in a team environment
    • - Experience with basic kitchen equipment